One Direction’s Harry Style almost became the young Han Solo of the still-untitled anthology from Star Wars. According to reports, the world famous pop star was in the running to become the beloved space smuggler before the role went to Alden Ehrenreich.

The Early Years

Last year, when LucasFilm and Disney announced that Ehrenreich will replace Harrison Ford as Han Solo, fans were not as welcoming. Many doubted his ability to play the iconic role that launched Ford’s acting career in 1977. But regardless of the criticism that came after the announcement, the studio went ahead with their plans and production started.

If there was an outcry when Ehrenreich was cast, imagine the reaction if Styles was chosen as Han Solo. In a new report from Metro, the musician’s name was high up on the list of studio executives during the casting process.

“Harry was one of the early names in contention when the studio looked at Han Solo,” said an unnamed insider. “Even though he had virtually no acting experience, they saw he had huge star potential and would give the solo project enormous publicity.”

The source revealed that the 23-year-old talked to Disney about the roles. However, his music made him unable to officially sign up for the job. Styles will release his first solo album later this year.

Ehrenreich has been acting for quite some time now. Before landing the role of Han Solo, he appeared in Beautiful Creatures and Blue Jasmine. He also starred alongside George Clooney and Channing Tatum in Hail, Caesar!

Meanwhile, Styles has no experience as an actor aside from one TV appearance in Nickelodeon’s iCarly and documentaries about his band One Direction. He, however, will make his big acting debut in Christopher Nolan’s World War II movie Dunkirk. It will be released on July 21 and will also star Tom Hardy and Kenneth Branagh.

Styles’ Future at Disney

Casting Ehrenreich rather than Styles was rather a good decision. While Styles probably has shown incredible acting skills to be considered, the focus would have been on him rather than the character. Ehrenreich has the capacity to make the movie about Han Solo.

However, the insider also teased that studio execs really liked Styles. He did compete with other young but experienced actors like Taron Egerton, Jack Reynor, Miles Teller, Ansel Elgort and Emory Cohen for the role. Allegedly, there are talks to bring back the musician-turned-actor for future projects. Disney has a lot of movies lined up for the next couple of years like Snow White and Tinker Bell. As Metro suggested, perhaps he can replace Ford in a future Indiana Jones.

Join the Cast of Han Solo Movie

In other news, fans can star alongside Ehrenreich, Donald Glover, Emilia Clarke and Woody Harrelson in the young Han Solo anthology. In a video, Daisy Ridley and Mark Hamill announced this year’s Star Wars: Force For Change, a fundraising initiative that aims to help Unicef and Starlight Children’s Foundation.

Fans can get a chance to win a ticket to the world premiere of Star Wars: The Last Jedi to be held in Los Angeles later this year and an overnight stay at Skywalker Ranch. But perhaps, the most exciting prize is the chance to grab a walk-on role in the Han Solo movie.

According to Omaze.com/starwars, donating $10 would get fans 100 entries. But donating $50,000 not only will get 500,000 entries, but guarantees a private screening of Star Wars: The Last Jedi for 20 people. There are other goodies given away such as digital artworks, t-shirts, posters and other merchandise. The promo will run until next month.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi will be released on Dec. 15. Meanwhile, the still-untitled Han Solo anthology is set to premiere in 2018.